Imprisoned by Hope
There is a colorful, teasing and exceptionally obscure verse 'hidden' very close to the end of the Old Testament.
The prophet Zechariah (circa 520BC) pleads with the Lord's people to return to their land, and God will unfold His wonderful plans.
Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you. (Zechariah 9:12)
Through the soul-filling call of this verse the prisoners of hope are promised restoration. Not simply an equal restoration, but a double portion. Their restoration will be more than complete.
What a delightful prison to be confined in, what a wonderful captivity gained - when a man has been bound by hope!
Prisons render the prisoner impotent. It is in the prison of hope that trust must be forged, as the eyes stay wide and can only focus on an unseen goodness ahead.
To be imprisoned by hope, is to be surrounded, protected and guarded by it. Discouragement, despair and distress will assault, but they cannot crush its walls.
NOTE TO SELF: The very nature of prisons is God's guarantee to those imprisoned by hope, for prisoners too cannot flee. The hope will be/must be vindicated.
Today's Soul Snippet:
'Don't try harder, trust more.' ~ anon
ENJOY too ~ Surrounded by Songs of Deliverance
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